Italian Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and Peppers, one of the top game-day or large gathering meals, combines all aspects of what many of us Americans crave. Being from a family that is part Sicilian, Italian food was what we ate on a regular basis. So, I undoubtedly love Italian or Italian-American food. If you aren't like me than you still probably love this style of cooking as many Americans do. Sausage and peppers is like a deconstructed pizza, and anything that tastes like or reminds me of pizza is going to be good. Intense tomato flavor, rich and spicy Italian sausage and tangy, sweet peppers comes together in this crowd-pleasing staple of the home-cook.


Being a budget-friendly meal with minimum labor required, makes sausage and peppers a simple go-to meal for a casual gathering giving you, the host, plenty of time to be with your friends and family not fussing over a stove. Bang this dish together in the crock pot in 30 minutes in the mid-morning and by afternoon you will have yourself a winning dish. When guests arrive, put out a simple spread of cheese, crackers, veggies and dip. Buy the vegetables pre-cut and a pre-made dip to make things even easier on yourself. Sometimes, you just want to kick back with your friends and not be stuck in the kitchen all night. Check out this solution for a delicious, stress-free meal.


Lizzy M.'s Sausage and Peppers

1/2 lb Mild Italian sausage, cut into large pieces
1/2 lb Hot Italian sausage
4 Bell peppers, largely diced (red, yellow, orange or green or any combination)

Lizzy M.'s Tomato Sauce

Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil for sauteing

Dash Crushed red pepper
1/2 Large yellow onion diced

1 Tbsp Oregano

1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning

1 Tsp Thyme
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
2 Garlic cloves grated or minced

1/2 Cup Dry red wine

1 Tbsp sugar

1-16 oz can crushed red tomatoes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Start by preparing the tomato sauce. In a large pot over medium to high heat add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a dash of crushed red pepper. Add the chopped onions and all chopped peppers to the heated pot and stir to coat thoroughly in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, 1 tablespoon of both oregano and Italian seasoning as well as 1 teaspoon of thyme. Stir well and saute the mixture for 5 minutes. With a microplane grate 2 garlic cloves over the saucepan or just mince the garlic and transfer to the pot. Mix well and let the garlic cook for just a minute before adding the tomato paste. Again mix the paste well into the pan and cook for a minute. Add the dry red wine and sugar at this point. Stir as ingredients incorporate and lastly add the crushed tomatoes.


Once the sauce is heated through add the sausage. Cover and simmer on low heat for at least an hour. This dish can sit on low heat on the stove for a few hours or as long as your party or dinner lasts. You can also prepare this dish in a crock pot and let sit on low for many hours. You and your guests can indulge in this meal by itself or piled onto a club roll with yummy provolone or mozzarella cheese.


Entertaining your friends and family does not have to be difficult. Plan a simple main dish like this one and you will have all day or night to spend quality time with your guests.